Cubs legend Ron Santo dead at 70

Testimonials poured in from around Chicago and the sports world Friday for Cubs' iconic player and broadcaster Ron Santo, who died Thursday night at the age of 70.

Santo, who played his major-league career with diabetes that ultimately forced amputation of both legs below the knees, died in an Arizona hospital "following a courageous battle with bladder cancer," the Cubs said.

Santo had called Cubs games on WGN since 1990, leading fans on a roller coaster of emotion as he commented with unashamed bias on Chicago's beloved Northside team.

Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts said Santo "will forever be the heart and soul of Cubs fans," adding in a statement:

"My siblings and I first knew Ron Santo as fans, listening to him in the broadcast booth. We knew him for his passion, his loyalty, his great personal courage and his tremendous sense of humor."

Despite the health problems that would cause him to miss an occasional road trip in recent years, Santo always maintained a positive outlook. "What else am I going to do?" he told WGN this past season about working despite physical ailments. "Doing the Cubs games is like therapy for me."

Santo was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 18 and battled a myriad of medical problems after retiring as a player. Former teammate Randy Hundley said he played with Santo for six years before he learned of the third baseman's illness.

Considered by many the best player not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove award winner hit .277 with 342 home runs and 1,331 RBIs in his 15-year playing career. He spent 14 years with the Cubs before a final season in 1974 with the cross-town White Sox.

Santo was up for the Hall of Fame on 19 occasions, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. He first appeared on the Veterans Committee ballot in 2003 and will likely be considered again next year when the Golden Era committee (considering players from 1947-72) votes.

Among the testimonials, from former teammate Ernie Banks:

"Ronnie has been a friend of mine for more than 50 years and is like a brother to me. Ronnie's entire life was dedicated to his wonderful family, the Chicago Cubs and their outstanding fans. On the field, Ronnie was one of the greatest competitors I've ever seen. Off the field, he was as generous as anyone you would want to know. ... Ronnie was always there for you, and through his struggles, he was always upbeat, positive and caring. I learned a lot about what it means to be a caring, decent human being from Ron Santo."

Added Chicago Blackhawks president John McDonough, former president of the Cubs:

"Ron was an inspiration to everyone as his life was defined by overcoming obstacles. It is a sad day for all of Chicago and everyone in the sports world. His incredible passion for the Cubs was unmatched."

Commissioner Bud Selig said Santo "represented all the goodwill of baseball and the Chicago Cubs franchise," adding:

"Ron's playing and broadcasting careers shared a common thread: in both capacities, he was a staple of the Cubs' experience every single day."

Santo, who teamed with play-by-play man Pat Hughes in the Wrigley Field booth, made no apologies for his homerism regarding the Cubs, who continue to be one of sports' best-known hard-luck stories, having not won a World Series in 102 years.

Santo - a Seattle native - exemplified the spirit of the Cubs in the 1960s, as he became known for leaping and clicking his heels after every home victory. During Chicago's pennant run in 1969, he was the batter in the on-deck circle when the black cat crossed in front of the Cubs' dugout in Shea Stadium during a pivotal series against the Mets. He never got over the Cubs' falling short that year, and disliked going to New York to the end.

The Cubs retired Santo's number in 2003, hoisting No. 10 up the left-field foul pole, just below Banks' No. 14.

"This flag hanging down the left-field line means more to me than the Hall of Fame," Santo told the cheering crowd at Wrigley Field that day.

While not the polished color man often found in the broadcast booth today, Santo was loved by Cubs fans. They didn't have to wait for Hughes' call to know a play meant trouble for the Cubbies -- Santo would interject a groan or "Oh, nooo" before his talented colleague could report the action.

Santo's positive attitude in overcoming adversity -- or just plain bad luck -- also won him the hearts of Chicago. On Opening Day 2003 at his hated Shea Stadium, his toupee caught on fire from an overhead heater in the radio booth as he stood for the National Anthem.

His son, Jeff, an independent film maker, produced and directed a moving movie of Santo's career and battle with diabetes in 2004 called This Old Cub. It is available on DVD at http://www.thisoldcub.com/ and a portion of the proceeds go to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Santo was active in raising funds for juvenile diabetes research, through golf tournaments, appearances and the Ron Santo Walk to Cure Diabetes. The walk has raised more than $40 million over the years, the Cubs said.

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